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Howard, Magic look to continue winning ways vs. Grizzlies

Nov 20, 2006 - 4:15 PM Orlando (7-3) at Memphis (1-8) 8:00 pm EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic look to win their fifth straight game when they face the Grizzlies in Memphis.

Orlando (7-3) is off to its best start through 10 games since going 8-2 in 1998-99. The play of Howard is a big reason for Orlando's fast start and he is coming off a 24 point, 21 rebound effort in the Magic's 97-83 win against the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday.

Howard, the No. 1 pick of the 2004 draft, is averaging 17.8 points and 16.5 boards during the Magic's four-game winning streak, including two 20-point, 20-rebound efforts.

Orlando is 2-2 on the road this season, after going 10-31 in 2005-06.

However the Magic have lost three straight to the Grizzlies as well as seven of their last eight. Orlando has also lost four straight at FedEx Forum.

Memphis has its own problems and is just 1-8 in November, including an 89-84 loss on Saturday against Dallas. Rookie Rudy Gay scored a season-high 23 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost seven straight games and are looking to avoid their first eight-game slide since opening the 2002-03 season 0-13.

The Grizzlies, who had the seventh-best home record in the NBA last season at 30-11, are only 1-3 at home this year.